Herzing University-Minneapolis
St. Louis Park, Minnesota · Private Nonprofit · 93.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 16/100 · Poor Value
Herzing University-Minneapolis earns a 16 ROI score and a Poor Value tier rating, a result driven by chronically weak schoolwide outcomes despite individual program strength in nursing. Tuition is $13,450 with a net price of $16,670 -- notably above sticker, reflecting how full COA outstrips institutional aid. Four-year cost lands at $66,680. Median earnings six years out are $30,100, climbing only to $36,909 by year ten -- producing a near-zero 2.9 percent earnings premium and a 108-year payback period flag (effectively meaning typical earnings don't recoup costs). Median debt of $21,500 against earnings produces a 0.714 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 46.7 percent completion rate is weak. The most damning data point: a 45.2 percent five-year repayment rate -- among the lowest in our universe -- suggesting more than half of borrowers are not making meaningful progress. The schoolwide picture is bleak even though the nursing pipeline produces strong individual earnings. Herzing is a workforce-applied private whose program-level outliers don't compensate for systemic completion and repayment problems.
The data raises concerns about Herzing University-Minneapolis
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score16/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Herzing University-Minneapolis
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,450/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $13,450/yr |
| Average net price | $16,670/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $66,680 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,909 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 46.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 740 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Herzing University-Minneapolis is $13,450/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,670/year, or roughly $66,680 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,304/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,347/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $36,909 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.71 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,304 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,821 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,433 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,492 |
| $110,001+ | $24,347 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Lowest-income families pay $15,304 net annually -- with the $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually paying slightly more at $15,821, a mild inversion. The $48K-$75K tier drops to $15,433. Roughly $61,000 over four years for Pell-eligible students against $30K six-year earnings is a heavy debt risk that the school's overall data don't justify. The nursing pipeline is the primary path to positive ROI for low-income students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets pay $15,821 ($30K-$48K), $15,433 ($48K-$75K), and $22,492 ($75K-$110K) -- the upper-middle tier sees a sharp jump. The non-monotonic pattern is unusual. Annual costs are reasonable at the lower-middle bands but climb sharply at the upper-middle threshold. Middle-income families considering Herzing should compare carefully with Minnesota State system options.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families pay $24,347 net annually, or roughly $97K over four years. With median 10-year earnings of $36,909 and the 108-year payback flag, the math is exceptionally difficult to justify financially. Wealthier families would almost certainly secure better long-term value at any Minnesota State or University of Minnesota campus.
Earnings by Major
Top 8 most popular majors at Herzing University-Minneapolis with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $91,010 | C |
| Dental Support Services | $73,741 | C |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $51,098 | F |
| Accounting | $54,345 | - |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,601 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,379 | D |
| Legal Support Services | $33,315 | - |
| Computer Programming | $78,404 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Herzing's flagship program with 118 graduates, posting strong first-year earnings of $75,774 climbing to $91,010 by year four. However, median debt of $43,985 is unusually heavy and produces a 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio and only a C ROI grade. The strong earnings are partially offset by the high program-level debt; nursing here is a positive ROI choice but less attractive than nursing at lower-debt regional alternatives. Twin Cities healthcare absorption is strong.
Dental Support Services
Dental Support Services graduates 35 students with $58,912 first-year and $73,741 four-year earnings. Median debt of $35,117 produces a 0.596 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Twin Cities dental practice support roles are a real career market, but as with nursing, the program-level debt drags an otherwise solid earnings story.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health Administration graduates 11 students with $39,231 first-year and $51,098 four-year earnings against punishing median debt of $47,375 -- producing a 1.208 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F ROI grade. The numbers reflect a clear pattern: borrowing exceeds the cost-recovery curve in this program. Students should look at community-college pathways into health admin at far lower cost.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration reports 1 graduate with $52,469 first-year and $66,379 four-year earnings against median debt of $46,792 -- producing a 0.892 debt-to-earnings ratio and a D ROI grade. The thin sample size limits confidence, but the heavy program-level debt against modest earnings is consistent with the school's broader pattern.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 39.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 45.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 32.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 42.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 740 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 56.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,450 |
Herzing-Minneapolis admits 93.8 percent of applicants -- effectively open enrollment. SAT and ACT data are not reported in current Scorecard data, consistent with test-blind admissions. The 46.7 percent completion rate is weak relative to the access profile, reflecting the challenges of serving a heavily nontraditional, working-adult, and online-leaning student population. Prospective students should plan for completion realistically and budget for the time-to-degree implications.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Herzing-Minneapolis's nearest peers include Augsburg University -- a meaningfully stronger Minnesota private -- alongside Bethany Lutheran College, St. Andrews University, Coker University, and Philander Smith University. Within this peer set, Herzing's 16 ROI score is among the weakest, with Augsburg significantly outperforming. The peer set is somewhat mismatched given Herzing's workforce-credentialing focus versus the liberal arts orientation of most peers.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herzing University-Minneapolis (this school) | 16 | $16,670 | $36,909 |
| DeVry University-Georgia | 20 | $28,229 | $45,987 |
| DeVry University-Virginia | 18 | $36,609 | $45,987 |
| Full Sail University | 13 | $38,875 | $38,219 |
| Strayer University-Virginia | 11 | $19,578 | $40,092 |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | 11 | $11,645 | $40,092 |
Who Thrives Here
Herzing-Minneapolis fits adult learners and career-changers in the Twin Cities seeking workforce-applied credentials -- particularly nursing, dental support, and health-administration roles. Enrollment is small at 740 undergraduates and Pell rate runs 56.7 percent -- among the highest in our universe, indicating a heavily working-class and lower-income student body. Strongest student outcomes flow to the nursing pipeline; outside healthcare, the data are concerning. Students should narrow program selection sharply and aggressively minimize borrowing.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Herzing University-Minneapolis. With a net cost of $16,670 per year and median graduate earnings of only $36,909 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 46.7% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,500 against $36,909 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.